Why retire sooner if you only die weeks later.

Much of what I have written about on this blog is centered around financial strategies to spend less, protect your family better, eliminate personal debt and invest better. But what can you do to live longer to enjoy your efforts?

The other day I came across at book from Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. Martin called The Longevity Project.  The book is based on a study started in 1921 following 1500 Americans, what the happened as they lived their lives and the causes for longevity.

You may be surprised to find out these12 myths about living longer ( Make sure to check the video below too) ...

1. The best of men cannot suspend their fate: The good die early, and the bad die late. (Myth!)
2. Get married and you will live longer. (Myth!)
3. Take it easy and don’t work so hard and you will stay healthier. (Myth!)
4. Thinking happy thoughts reduces stress and leads to long life. (Myth!)
5. Religious people live longer, so don’t miss religious services. (Myth!)
6. If you have hobbies like gardening, walking, and cooking, you should take up more vigorous forms of exercise. (Myth!)
7. Worrying is very bad for your health. (Myth!)
8. If you believe that you are loved and cared for, then you are on the road to good health. (Myth!)
9. Retire as soon as you can and play more golf to stay healthy and live longer. (Myth!)
11. If your child is very serious, encourage him or her to be more spontaneous and have more fun. (Myth!)
12. Give your children a big head start in school and they will thrive for life. (Myth!)
13. You can live to be a hundred only if you give up all the things that make you want to live to be a hundred (as Woody Allen is said to have joked). (Myth!)

Here is an preview of the book The Longevity Project from it's authors



The key to living longer comes down to four things; work hard, worry a little, don't divorce and be too optimistic.

Sounds easy to me!?